The Oldest Republic – Episode 11

How does a republic tell its own story through art?

In this episode of The Oldest Republic, we explore the artistic heritage of San Marino through three symbolic places that reveal how the Republic has represented itself across the centuries. Rather than offering a complete history of art, we follow a journey through buildings, images and monuments that connect memory, identity and power.

Our first stop is the Church and Convent of Saint Francis, one of the oldest and most significant religious complexes in the Republic. From medieval foundations and Renaissance frescoes to works linked to the great artistic centres of Italy, this site tells a story of faith, culture and artistic exchange.

We then move to the Monastery of Saint Clare, whose history begins during the Catholic Reformation and unfolds through the lives of the women who inhabited it. More than a religious building, it became a place of education, memory and community, leaving behind a rich artistic and cultural legacy.

Finally, we arrive at the Government Palace, perhaps the most symbolic building in San Marino. Rebuilt in the nineteenth century in a neo-medieval style, it was designed not only as a seat of government but also as a visual statement of the Republic’s identity, linking its institutions to the myth of perpetual freedom and its medieval origins.

Throughout the episode, we encounter vanished buildings, rediscovered artworks, ambitious restorations and carefully crafted symbols. Together, they reveal how San Marino has continuously used art and architecture to shape the image it presents to itself and to the world.

A small republic telling its story… through stone, images and memory.

#SanMarino #History #TheOldestRepublic #Art #CulturalHeritage

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This podcast is sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs of San Marino, with the support of the San Marino Centre for Historical Studies (University of San Marino).

The texts are based on L. Gorgolini, S. Pivato (eds.), History of San Marino, 2026. This episode is based on chapter 11: M. Bollini, Art Through the Centuries: Three Significant Monuments.

Author: Giuseppe Giardi
Hosts: Carlotta Serra Ciotti and Federica Ghirotti
Video: Luca Zucchi

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:28 Saint Francis’ Church
05:31 Monastery of Saint Clare
10:04 Government Building
14:22 Conclusion